University of Houston Athletics
First Career Start in Front of the Family
9/26/2023 5:34:00 PM | Football
Houston running back Parker Jenkins talks about his breakout performance
By Parker Jenkins, Houston Freshman Running Back
My first career start
We kind of know who is going to start based on how many reps we get so when I started getting the reps with the 1's I knew I was going to have to take a different role. Tony [Mathis] is a really good leader. He told me the starter has to take a different approach and lead differently. I knew it was my chance to step up with everyone a bit banged up.
It's a big thing as a freshman to lead the older guys when you're still learning a lot from them. It's a different feeling when you're in the moment. The starting job is crazy. You've got everyone waiting to see what you are going to do. I took what Tony said personally and knew what I had to do. In the game, he kept saying 'keep going, keep going.'
When I got in the endzone for the first time it was the craziest feeling. I felt like I'd made it. It's the first of many. The other two touchdowns just came. It was a blessing – especially to have my family there. They come to support me through everything; whether we lose by 60 or we win by 60, they're still supporting me, congratulating me and telling me to keep going.
My mom and stepdad were there along with a coach from high school, my girlfriend, her friends and an old teammate. Different people have come out each week and it has just shown me how many people are willing to come and support. It's a blessing.
No better place than home
The recruiting process has a lot of factors that go into it. You have a lot of different coaches from a lot of different areas reaching out. Some coaches have the same background as you. Some try to persuade you with different things. When Coach [Mike] Jinks first got here, he said 'there's no place better than home.' Once I realized that he was right, I thought, 'why would I want to go anywhere else?'
I'm a big home person. Big homebody. When Jinks came in, he really showed me what UH had to offer. I kind of lost my focus having so many schools coming at me, because you kind of get blinded by what's in front of you. You have to ask yourself, 'who do I pick?' When I sat back and talked to my family and told them UH was my choice, they fully supported me.
Coach Jinks played a big role, though. He was persistent and committed in saying 'I'm going to get you here and I am going to show you what it's like to be a Houston Cougar.' That's exactly what he did. I am glad I have been able to experience that.
Driving the field
The first drive we scored a touchdown on was one of the best drives this season. Everybody was flowing and everyone was doing their job. Coach [Dana] Holgorsen was talking all week about 'just doing your job' and that's what we did.
Matt [Golden] got a toss that put us in the red zone and then we just kept running the ball, kept piling it on because they couldn't handle it.
The second one, we just drove down the field again. The ball kind of slipped off my hand. It was kind of sweaty. Luckily no one saw the ball and I just dove on it.
Bouncing off and breaking free
I think that because they were so committed on that long (31-yard) run, they kind of overran it. We talked about how they are going to do all the shifting and all of that and they're going to take themselves out of the game. When I saw the hole, I just hit it and even though a defender was there, I was able to get off him and get open in space.
Got it done up front
I give a lot of credit to the offensive line. They got a lot of movement. We knew from the get-go they can move anyone. They all push each other. Everyone is like that. That whole 'core' with the offensive line and Donovan [Smith] motivate each other. They're all close. If someone isn't doing their job everyone is going to say something. We're all fighting for that same goal.
T.E.A.M.
I think what we take away from the Sam Houston game is we can compete with anybody. If we work as a team, we can do that. If one side of the ball is doing better than another, we step up to support each other. We know we're getting back into Big 12 play now and the standards are raised. It's more people. Larger crowds. Bigger opponents. More eyes on us.
I'm blessed to play for the University of Houston. This city is my home. There's no other way to describe it. I have been here my whole life and I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.
Go Coogs! 🐾
My first career start
We kind of know who is going to start based on how many reps we get so when I started getting the reps with the 1's I knew I was going to have to take a different role. Tony [Mathis] is a really good leader. He told me the starter has to take a different approach and lead differently. I knew it was my chance to step up with everyone a bit banged up.
It's a big thing as a freshman to lead the older guys when you're still learning a lot from them. It's a different feeling when you're in the moment. The starting job is crazy. You've got everyone waiting to see what you are going to do. I took what Tony said personally and knew what I had to do. In the game, he kept saying 'keep going, keep going.'
When I got in the endzone for the first time it was the craziest feeling. I felt like I'd made it. It's the first of many. The other two touchdowns just came. It was a blessing – especially to have my family there. They come to support me through everything; whether we lose by 60 or we win by 60, they're still supporting me, congratulating me and telling me to keep going. My mom and stepdad were there along with a coach from high school, my girlfriend, her friends and an old teammate. Different people have come out each week and it has just shown me how many people are willing to come and support. It's a blessing.
No better place than home
The recruiting process has a lot of factors that go into it. You have a lot of different coaches from a lot of different areas reaching out. Some coaches have the same background as you. Some try to persuade you with different things. When Coach [Mike] Jinks first got here, he said 'there's no place better than home.' Once I realized that he was right, I thought, 'why would I want to go anywhere else?'
I'm a big home person. Big homebody. When Jinks came in, he really showed me what UH had to offer. I kind of lost my focus having so many schools coming at me, because you kind of get blinded by what's in front of you. You have to ask yourself, 'who do I pick?' When I sat back and talked to my family and told them UH was my choice, they fully supported me.
Coach Jinks played a big role, though. He was persistent and committed in saying 'I'm going to get you here and I am going to show you what it's like to be a Houston Cougar.' That's exactly what he did. I am glad I have been able to experience that.
Driving the field
The first drive we scored a touchdown on was one of the best drives this season. Everybody was flowing and everyone was doing their job. Coach [Dana] Holgorsen was talking all week about 'just doing your job' and that's what we did.
Matt [Golden] got a toss that put us in the red zone and then we just kept running the ball, kept piling it on because they couldn't handle it.
The second one, we just drove down the field again. The ball kind of slipped off my hand. It was kind of sweaty. Luckily no one saw the ball and I just dove on it.
Bouncing off and breaking free
I think that because they were so committed on that long (31-yard) run, they kind of overran it. We talked about how they are going to do all the shifting and all of that and they're going to take themselves out of the game. When I saw the hole, I just hit it and even though a defender was there, I was able to get off him and get open in space.
Got it done up front
I give a lot of credit to the offensive line. They got a lot of movement. We knew from the get-go they can move anyone. They all push each other. Everyone is like that. That whole 'core' with the offensive line and Donovan [Smith] motivate each other. They're all close. If someone isn't doing their job everyone is going to say something. We're all fighting for that same goal.T.E.A.M.
I think what we take away from the Sam Houston game is we can compete with anybody. If we work as a team, we can do that. If one side of the ball is doing better than another, we step up to support each other. We know we're getting back into Big 12 play now and the standards are raised. It's more people. Larger crowds. Bigger opponents. More eyes on us.
I'm blessed to play for the University of Houston. This city is my home. There's no other way to describe it. I have been here my whole life and I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.
Go Coogs! 🐾
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballMedia Availability: Ashton Porter
Monday, April 20
Media Availability: Kentrell Webb
Monday, April 20
Media Availability: Keisean Henderson
Monday, April 20
Media Availability: Conner Weigman
Sunday, April 19